Applications are now being accepted for the Wege Foundation Grant.
Donor Name: The Wege Foundation
State: Michigan
County: Kent County (MI)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 02/05/2026
Size of the Grant: Not Available
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Wege Foundation’s Grants Policy established four “pillars”:
- Arts & Culture
- Foster authentic artistic and cultural expression by diverse neighborhoods and communities, especially those that are historically under resourced and marginalized.
- Assure affordable and welcoming access by lower-income and diverse individuals to a wide variety of artistic and cultural exhibits and performances through relevant programming and aggressive outreach.
- Environment
- Ensure access to experiential environmental education for public school students that is regular, systematic, integrated with curricula, and connected with “real world” community initiatives such as Grand River restoration, renewable energy & efficiency, water conservation and protection, addressing climate change, wildlife habitat conservation and sustainable food systems.
- Ensure access to and the protection, restoration, and development of Michigan watersheds and natural environments.
- Ensure Grand Rapids continues to be a state, national, and/or international leader in its commitment to sustainable development, i.e. “Economicology” or circular economy.
- Ensure that Michigan is a national and international leader in policies to protect the environment, including the Great Lakes, in ways that recognize the connection between environmental protection, human health, and promoting economic and social justice.
- Education
- Ensure access to extracurricular services and programming (pre-K through post-secondary) that prepare under-resourced students to learn and enhance academic and life skills achievements to promote the next level of development.
- Support effective strategies for involvement by adult caregivers and mentors in children’s education, especially in public schools with diverse student populations.
- Community Health & Wellbeing
- Address disproportionate racialized outcomes in health, housing, and economic equity to improve the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age in the greater Grand Rapids metropolitan area. The Wege Foundation encourages community collaborative approaches that foster long-term solutions.
- Ensure a pipeline of diverse and culturally competent talent to create racial justice and equity within greater Grand Rapids metropolitan area.
- Strengthen and sustain equitable access to a network of quality healthcare, mental wellbeing, housing stability, and/or food security services that positively impact the greater Grand Rapids area.
Eligibility Criteria
As you consider submitting a grant application, please keep in mind your request should align with one of our four areas of interest (Education, Environment, Arts & Culture, Community Health & Wellbeing) and should serve the Kent County and Grand Rapids metropolitan area. If your project contains a capital campaign element, your project must be LEED certified. Please note that The Wege Foundation may only fund a portion of your project. Your organization must be a current 501(c)3 public charity or equivalent determination if a church or school.
For more information, visit The Wege Foundation.
